Severly Independent

Comments:

• Helpful article. What is the name of your community?

  Post: Aging With Others

  Link to comment from April 10, 2024

• Jesse, you mentioned using Google spreadsheets at one time to track expenses. Do you have an opinion or feedback on a program offered by Tiller that uses Google spreadsheets to track expenses? My interest is solely on tracking expenses, not budgeting or net worth.

  Post: Horse Then Cart

  Link to comment from February 15, 2024

• I salute your achievements and having an eight-figure net worth. I would venture to guess that having a physician spouse contributed to your financial well-being. Your description of your college scholarship amounts needs to be challenged. I believe you are converting the Indian Rupee amounts you received in the 1960s to current exchange rates. You can look at it two ways: 1) the exchange rate in 1965 was 1 USD = 4.76 INR. If you received Rs. 50 that would have been equivalent to $10.50. Inflation adjusted that is $96.95 in today's USD. 2) Inflation adjusted, Rs. 50 is Rs. 3258 in today's Rupees. That is equivalent to $39.69 in today's dollars. Whichever way you look at it, your figure of 61cents per month over dramatizes the situation.

  Post: Come a Long Way

  Link to comment from July 15, 2023

• Could someone help me understand the resale market? One can buy hundreds of points on ebay for almost nothing. Annual fees are maybe a couple of thousand dollars. What's the downside?

  Post: Buying Time

  Link to comment from June 27, 2023

• I have Part D with Wellcare which has a reasonable premium of about $11/month. I get two of my prescriptions through their preferred pharmacy CVS for zero co-pay. I have been getting my other prescriptions (non-insurance) from Cost Plus which has a lower cost than CVS' co-pay even with handling and shipping added. The service and responsiveness from Cost Plus has been excellent. The only disappointment is that I just received notice from Cost Plus that the handling fee is going up by $2 which will narrow their price advantage. I find GoodRx cumbersome to use. They have a premium and regular level pricing. Premium level pricing is not accessible without monthly membership. The only time I check them is if it is a one time prescription.

  Post: A Less Bitter Pill

  Link to comment from June 10, 2023

• M4A may not be perfect, but it is the best option. As a humane society, we need to care for our fellow citizens. I am on Original Medicare with a supplemental plan. I am enormously grateful that I have access to a system that monitors charges and looks over my shoulders. I shudder when I look at what health care providers bill Medicare and thankful they do not get reimbursed preposterous charges.

  Post: Medicare for All

  Link to comment from May 27, 2023

• Selecting Original Medicare was a no brainer for me. I do not want to be restricted to network doctors, get approval from the insurance company for specialist referrals and be able to use my coverage anywhere in the country. Insurance companies push Advantage programs because they can maximize profits, deny/restrict claims and con people by using spokespeople like Joe Namath. I dropped dental/vision coverage because of all the restrictions and limited benefits. The math just did not work out. Cheaper to self-insure. Plan D coverage is good for generics. Also, I use Cost Plus and GoodRx because their pricing is much more attractive than paying the deductible and/or co-pay on some prescriptions.

  Post: The Medicare Maze

  Link to comment from May 7, 2023

• If the probability of you returning in 12 months is high, do not sell the vehicle. You know and love the vehicle. It could be difficult to get something similar on short notice. My recommendation is to leave the Lexus with someone who you trust unequivocally. The insurance and maintenance (couple of oil changes?) expenses will be a few hundred dollars. Let the person drive it for a few days a month. Its a win/win situation. You will have a car in good running shape when you come back. The individual taking care of the car will have free transportation for some of the time. Cheers!

  Post: Fork in the Road

  Link to comment from February 23, 2023

• As I understand it, the benefit at age 70 is 32% more than at FRA. So, when one reaches 70, is the benefit amount calculated based on an adjusted PIA - not the PIA amount when FRA was first reached.

  Post: The Magic Number

  Link to comment from August 27, 2022